Lock.



E. M. BENHAM.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25. 1913.

Patented Aug.11, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' lfllllll hull-II It Q fi THE NORRIS PETERS CQ. PHOIU LITHO WASHINGTON D C.

B. M. BENHAM.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1913.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHIJET 2.

0mm Tar? THE NORRIS PETERS 50.. PHOTO L'THO WASHING TON. D. I;

EDGAR M. BENI-IAM, OF NORWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BANKERS SAFETY (30., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. ill, 1914.

Application filed. August 25, 1913. Serial No. 786,356.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR M. BENHAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Norwood, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks; and I do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description of the invention, attention being called to the two sheets of drawings which accompany this application and form a part thereof. i

This invention concerns locks suitable for use in connection with safes, vaults, strongrooms, etc.

The invention consists of a lock which comprises locking members adapted to operate automatically to assume looking or unlocking positions, means comprising a set of combination tumblers whereby the action of these members is controlled, and intervenient means and the construction thereof, whereby these locking members and their controlling means are operatively connected to each other.

In the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end thereof, will be found a full description of my invention, together with its operation, parts and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1, shows a front View of a safe, the door of which is provided with my improved lock. Fig. 2, shows a side-elevation of the door, adjacent parts of the safe-body in which it is seated being shown in a vertical section taken on a line indicated at 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3, shows the inner or rear side of the door as it appears when opened, or detached. Fig. 4, shows the door under the same conditions and as it appears after a certain cap has been removed. Fig. 5, shows a top-view of the door, adjacent parts of the safe-body in which it is seated being shown in a horizontal section taken on a line indicated at 5-5 in Fig. 1. Fig.6, shows a rear-view of the detached door similar to Fig. 4, except that it is enlarged and that a certain cover-plate shown there has been removed. Fig. 7, shows a vertical central section of the door as shown in Fig. 6, and taken on a line as indicated at 7-7 in Fig. 6. Observe this line also in Figs. l and 8. Fig. 8, shows a section of the door taken on a line 88 of Fig. 7, and parallel to the plane of View in which the door is shown in F gs. 3, 4; and 6. Observe this line also in Fig. 9. Fig. 9, is a horizontal section of the door on a line indicated at 99 in Fig. 8. Fig. 10, shows in perspective view a certain part detached. F 1g. 11, shows in a similar v1ew th1s same part in changed position and in conjunction with another complementary' part.

In the drawing, A indicates the safebody provided with an opening for access. B indicates the door fitted to this opening to control access therethrough.

Shape and material of the safe-body and of the door have no bearing on this invention, nor has the manner of seating the door,

or of supporting the same for the purpose of moving it with respect to the dooropenm As here shown the door is of circular shape and is supported by a customary hinge-frame C.

For locking the door in its closed position two locking bolts D, D, are used which are carried by the door and are adapted to hold the same to the safe-body, the locking engagement with this latter being at diametrically opposite points in the periphery of the door-opening. These bolts are fitted into recesses provided in the door and they are adapted to move in these recesses to occupy positions in which they either clear the dooropening, to permit opening of the door, or in which they engage the safe-body to prevent movement of the door for the purpose of opening it. i For this latter purpose they are moved outwardly with respect to the door and for the former purpose they are moved inwardly. The movement in either direction'is spring-actuated, a spring E, being provided to move each and another spring F,

bolt outwardly being provided to move it inwardly. The action of these springs to move the bolts in either direction is subject'to the preceding manipulation of a knob G, one manipulation causing the bolts to move outwardly for locking the door and the other manipulation causing them to move inwardly so as to permit opening of the door. The manipulation for locking the door is preceded each time by the setting of the springs to insure their subsequent action to move the bolts in both directions. Intermediate mechanism is provided whereby the manipulation of the knob is rendered effective with reference to the springs and as to that manipulation of the knob, which is had for the purpose of causing the bolts to assume unlocking position, the manipulation is controlled by a combination lock and is effective only if the knob is properly manipulated so as to obtain the cooperative ac- 7 tion of this combination lock.

For convenience in manufacture, the door is recessed at its rear-side and a box-shaped casing H is provided within the recess which contains the means for operating the bolts. This casing has a flange h whereby it is attached to the door. Each bolt has a shank (Z, which shanks extend from the bolts inwardly through the recesses in the side of the door and through openings in the casing. These shanks are guided so as to assist the bolts to move in proper direction and they also constitute spring-housings, being longitudinally bored out for this purpose and endwise open to receive springs E which serve to propel the bolts into locking position.

J are block-shaped spring-carriers, one being provided for each shank (Z, they being so fitted against these shanks and between them and opposite sides of the casing as to be capable of cooperating and moving with these shanks and also independent thereof. Observe Figs; 8 and 11. These carriers are instrumental in transmitting the action of the springs to the bolts and they also serveas a means whereby the springs are set, that is whereby they are put under compression and held so to obtain this action. They are recessed on opposite sides and 'on diagonally opposite corners, the recesses 11 on one of their sides being occupied by shanks cl and by springs E contained in these shanks. The recesses 12 on their other sides contain springs E, which serve to move the bolts into unlocking position. One wall of recess 11 ot'each carrier is shaped to form a shoulder 13, as shown and the adjacent sides of the shanks are shaped to produce a complementary shoulder l t. On their opposite sides, shanks (Z are provided with notches 15 and springactuated pawls 16 aremounted within the casing which normally occupy these notches. It now spring-carriers J are moved, each with reference to the shank d adjacent thereof and in a direction toward the bolt of this shank, the movement being preferably a simultaneous one, all springs are put under compression and are placed in readiness for subsequent action. This position is shown in Fig. 11. Springs E are compressed between the ends of the recesses 11, and the ends of the spring-housings formed in shanks (l, these latter being held against movement by pawls 16. Springs F are compressed between the ends of recesses 12 and the sides of the casing opposite their other ends. Shoulders 13 on the spring-carriers move away at the same time from shoulders 1 1 on the shanks. Observe Fig. 11; Pin studs are provided which engage the ends of the springs to prevent them from slipping and loose pins f are also provided in springs F, to hold them against buckling. The means whereby these carriers J are moved in the manner indicated and whereby they are held after moved, to

maintain the springs under compression, :consist of an arm 17 secured between its ends to a hub 18, whichfis mounted in a plate 19 through which it projects and which forms a connected part of casing H and closes the same. Each otthe free ends or this arm extends mto a recess 20, one in each spring-carrier, so that, when said arm is actuated in the proper direction, both spring-carrlers are moved as required. Observe dotted lines in Flg. 6.- -Th1s actuation is by means of a suitableimplement in lever form which 1s provided with pins 1 adapted to engage openings 21 in the outer end of this hub. The hub outside of coverplate 19 carries a radially projecting finger 22, and when'the hub is actuated as aforestated,this finger strikes against an anglelever23 and slips at the same time under the hook-shaped end of the same. The other end of this angle-lever occupies a notch 2t.

in another angle-lever 25 and by this means moves this latter so .that it passes on the other' side of a spring-actuated trip-lever 26, this latter yielding while the end of the leverpasses so under it. i Trip-lever 26 is supported on one of the sides of the casing and projects outwardly from this latter, so as to bewithin reach of angle-lever 25. It will now be seen that while angle-lever 25 is-held by the trip lever, it also holds angle-lever 23 by means of notch 2 1 and the hook-shaped end of this angle-lever 23 holds hub 18 by its engagement with finger 22 thereon. Arm 17 which is rigidly connected to hub 18 isthus also.

held immovable and by its engagement with the recesses 20 in the spring-carriers holds these latter likewise. A cap 27 is preferably placed over these angle-levers, the hub projecting through the same to permit application of the implement for setting the springs. The parts are placed in this condition before the door is closed, after which knob G is manipulated, to the extent of at least one rotation, so' that a finger 28 on spindle 3% of the knob strikes against the free ends of pawls 16. This causes them to move out of notches 15 in shanks ,(Z of the locking bolts, whereby these latter are re-' action and move the bolts outwardlyinto locking position. At the same time shoulders 14: on shanks (Z move up again toward shoulders 13 on the spring-carriers these latter not changing their position. Reverse movement of the locking bolts, to move them into unlocking position, depends on actuation of trip-lever 26, to release angle-lever 25 and in sequence to release the other engaged elements viz. angle-lever 23, finger 22, hub 18 and arm 17 thereon so as to permit spring-carriers J to move in response to the expanding action of springs F. in this movement of the spring-carriers, shanks (Z and bolts I) participate by reason of shoulders 1-1 on the shanks being en gaged by shoulders 18 on the spring carriers and moved thereby. The bolts D are thus moved into unlocking position by the action of springs F, springs E remaining in the inactive position assumed during their previous expansion and are not affected.

The necessary actuation of the trip-lever to effect the release of the aforesaid parts so as to obtain the action of springs F, for unlocking the door, is again by means of manipulation of knob G, but this time the manipulation is subject to control of a combination lock and is effective to bring about the desired result only if performed in proper manner.

29 is a slide-bar properly guided for movement in linear direction. At one end it has a cam 31 adapted to engage the edge of the trip-lever at the end of the latter, the portion engaged by the cam being beveled, similar to said cam. 32 is a spring-actuated latch. carried by this bar 29, the spring holding it normally against the edge of the drive-wheel 33 of the combination lock. This drive-wheel is mounted on the inner end of spindle 3-1 of the lock, the outer end of said spindle carrying knob G. The spindle is mounted in the door and projects inwardly through a sleeve 35, which carries the tumblers 36 of the lock, three being shown, spaced by stationary washers between them. The construction of these parts follows conventional lines in combination lock construction, each tumbler being provided with a notch, which notches may be ned by means of the knob and the drivewheel, provided the knob properly m nipulated in accordance with a pro-arranged formula of figures used in conjunction with a a numbered dial-plate 37 provided for the purpose A short bar or guard 38 projects lrvn latch across the edge of the tum-- blers and prevents engagement of. the latch with a notch 39 in the edge of the drivewheel, unless the notches in the tumblers are alined. If this occurs, said bar may move into these notches, permitting also the latch to engage notch 39 in the drive-wheel, so that upon further manipulation of the knob in proper direction, action on slide bar 29 is had for the purpose of actuating trip-lever 26 to release angle-lever 25. Spring-carriers J are thus released and together with shanks (Z are moved by springs F, and carry the locking bolts into unlocking position which permits opening of the door. A stop 4:1 limits the movement of angle-lever 25, after its release, to prevent it from moving into a position which would interfere with its ready reengagement by anglelever 23 when the springs are set again.

Before 16-S6tl3lllg the springs, knob G is turned, to move finger 28 into a position as shown in Fig. 8, to prevent it from holding either of pawls 16 out of its complementary notch 15 on the opposite shank because, while failing to hold this shank against the action of the particular spring to be set, it would prevent such setting. To find such a position a number on the dial plate is used for this purpose, the knob being operated accordingly.

lVhile I have shown two locking bolts, because most suitable for the particular conditions here assumed, the invention is not limited to the use of two bolts and one may be sufiicient when a different door is used, or one differently supported. Instead of the locking bolts carried at the ends of shank (Z, intermediate bars might be provided at these ends and used. to carry a number of locking members each equivalent to locking bolts DD.

Having described my invention, 1 claim as new:

1. In a locking-device of the kind here in View, the combination of a door, a member for locking it, a set of combination-tumblers and an actuating spindle for them, all carried by the door, a spring adapted to move the locking-member into locking position,

another spring adapted to move it out of this position, a spring-carrier adapted to act against one end of each of the sp 'ings to compress them, means to move the springcarrier for this purpose and means to releasably hold it in this position, a springactuated pawl to releasably hold the doorlocking member against the action of one of the springs, means provided on the spindle and adapted upon manipulation of the same toactuate the pawl. so as to release the locking-member to permit it to move into locking position, and operatively connected mechanism whereby upon tumbleradjusting operation of the spindle the means before mentioned and which hold the spring carrier, are actuated to release this latter and permit it to be shifted by the other spring for moving the locking-memltier into unlocking position.

2. In a locking-device of the kind here in view, the combination of a door provided with a lock-casing, a set of combinationtumblers, and an actuating spindle provided for them and carried by the door, a door capable of moving with the shank of the locking-member and also independent thereof, two sprin s, one confined between the spring-carrier and the locking-member and the other confined between the spring-carrier and opposite parts of the lock-casing, an arm in engagement with the spring carrier supported for actuation in the lock casing to move the spring-carrier to compressboth springs, means to releasably hold 1 it in this spring-compressing position, a spring-actuated pawl to hold the lockingmember against the action of one of these springs while being compressed, a projection provided on the inner end of the spindle and adapted upon manipulation of this latter to actuate the pawl so as to release the locking-member and permit it to move in one direction and independent of the spring-carrier, and operatively connected mechanism whereby upon tumbler-adjusting operation of the spindle, means before mentioned and which hold the spring carrier, are operated to release this latter and permit it and the locking-member to move together in the other direction.

' 3. In a locking-device of the kind here in view, the combination of a circular door provided with locking-members positioned diametrically opposite each other, springs adapted to move these members into locking position, after rendered active by compression, manually operated devices to compress those springs for this purpose, spring-actuated pawls to restrain the looking-memi'iers against the action of the springs after compressed, a lock-spindle, and a projection on this latter adapted, upon manipulation of the spindle, to actuate the pawls so as to release the locking members.

4-. In a locking-device of the kind here in view, the combination of a circular door, ClOOI lOCkIDg members movably mounted thereon in diametrically opposite positions, springs adapted after being compressed to move these members into locking position,

' additional springs adapted after-being compressed to move them into unlocking position, means to compress these springs, means provided for each of these springs to control the action of the same, a combinationlock comprising a lock spindle, and intervenient mechanism whereby, upon manipulation of said lock spindle, either of the spring controlling means may be actuated to effect movement of the locking-members @to move respectively either into locking or unlocking positions.

5. In a locking-device of the kind here in ,witha combination-lock comprising a lockspindle, a door-locking member movably Efitted to the door, a spring adapted to actu- :ate it after compressed, means to compress this spring to render it active, devices to control the spring was to maintain it in this condition preparatory for action, a islide-bar adapted to be actuated by means Iof the combination-lock and intervenient Imeans whereby, upon-manipulation of the lock-spindle, the slide-bar is operated to actuate the spring-controlling devices to efiect this release. I

6. In a locking device of the kind here in view, the combination of a door provided with a combination-lock, a door-lockingview, the combination of a door provided ;member movably fitted to the door, a spring active, devices to restrain theaction of this .spring after compressed, a spring-actuated trip-lever adapted to be engaged by these devices and to hold themin operative position for the purpose mentioned, and a combination lock-operated device adapted to actuate the trip-lever in a manner to effect disengagement between it and the spring- Irest-raining device to permit the spring to actuate the door-locking member.

' In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix imy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR M. BENHAM.

, Witnesses: y

C. SPENGEL, T. Ln BEAU.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five centsieach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

